Weight-responsive switch control



Aug. 10, 1954 F. w. HOBAN 2,685,956

WEIGHT-RESPONSIVE SWITCH CONTROL FOR CONVEYER-ACTUATING MECHANISMSOriginal Filed May 11, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R N EY Aug. 10, 1954w, HOBAN 2,685,956

WEIGHT-RESPONSIVE SWITCH CONTROL FOR CONVEYER-ACTUATING MECHANISMS vOriginal Filed May 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HOV Tia-'7- IN VEN TOR./2/PF/E4 Q fl/A aaAM A Tram/ix Patented Aug. 10, 1954 WEIGHT-RESPONSIVESWITCH CONTROL FOR CONVEYER ACTUATING MECH- ANISMS Fairfield W. Hoban,Babylon, N. Y., assignor to Norman Cogliati, Newark, N. J John F. Hoban,New York, and J. Russell Callahan, Plandome Manor, N. Y., as trusteesOriginal application May 11, 1951, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 19, 1952, Serial No. 277,431

3 Claims. (Cl. 19837) This invention relates generally to controldevices for a moving mechanism, and particularly pertains to a controlfor article conveyers employed in vending machines similar to thatdisclosed in my co-pending application Serial Number 225,737, filed May11, 1951, for Vending Machine, and forms a divisional case thereof andespecially concerns a weight-responsive control switch adapted to eitherfacilitate or prevent the operation of a conveyer when the device iseither subjected to the weight of an article or when freed thereof,respectively.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a simple,relatively inexpensive and highly effective weight-responsive switchhaving an actuating member which is placed in the path of articlespropelled or carried by a conveyer, so that when an article becomespositioned over the actuating member, the weight of the article willcause the latter to close the switch, thus closing an electric controlcircuit, whereby the conveyeractuating means are released into operativeposition.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a weight-responsivecontrol switch composed of a switch unit and of an actuating member forthe latter, and wherein the switch unit comprises at least twosuperimposed resilient blade carrying contacts and which blades arenormally separated, said switch-actuating member comprising a pivotallysupported frame having projecting ribs or flanges intended to be engagedby and depressed by an article, and an extension forming a part of theframe, said extension being adapted to be normally supported by one ofthe blades of the switch, thereby elevating the frame so that its ribsor flanges project into the path of moving articles, and which extensionis designed to depress the switch blade supporting it when an articleassumes a position above the ribs or flanges extending from the frame.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the ensuing descriptionof the accompanying drawings, which latter form a part of the presentdisclosure and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of an article-supporting platform equipped with anendless conveyer for propelling articles, and which platform operativelysupports a weight-responsive switch in accordance with the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through two superimposed platformsequipped with weightresponsive control switches, said section beingtaken approximately along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental top view of the frame structure of the switchactuating member.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switch-actuating member, and

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram denoting the major electric elements employedin the operation of article conveyers for vending machines, includingthe weight-responsive switch, the subject of the present disclosure.

In Figures 1 to 5 numeral l denotes a platform such as may be employedin a vending machine and in which platform is provided a guide channel H(see Fig. 1) in which operates an endless conveyer l 2 having aplurality of article retainers 53 supported by and extending from theexterior edges of interconnected chain links l4. At the interior edge ofthe links are provided recesses I which are adapted to be successivelyengaged by a conveyer-actuating lever It which is operated by means oflever l1 and shaft I 8, the latter being swung in an are by means of alinkage l9 driven by motor 2!). Driven also by the motor is a cam 2|which is adapted to operate a switch-closing lever 22 hinged at 23' (seeFig. 7), the purpose of which will be explained presently.

Controlling the operation of motor is a three-blade switch 2 composed ofa central long blade 25 and an upper short blade 26 and a lower shortblade 21. The middle blade 25 has two adjacent contacts, whereas theouter blades 26 and 27 carry one contact each. The upper contact ofblade 25 and the contact of blade 26 are normally closed as shown inFigs. 1 and 7.

The operation of the conveyer is predicated upon the closing of anelectric circuit controlled by the closing of four independent switches,one of them being located in coin mechanism 28 (see Fig. 7), but i notillustrated. That switch is closed when a coin of the requireddenomination passes through that mechanism. Triple blade switch 2 2.represents another of the four switches and is operated by means of arm29 extending from a vertical shaft 30 from which latter also projects alever 3| engaged by pin 32 (Fig. 1) extending from a spring-loaded lever33. The latter bears against the top of hook-shaped end 3 ofchain-actuating lever 16, and from that hook-shaped end extends a pin 35adapted to move chain detent 36 out of engagement with the recess is ofone of the links engaged by the detent, as will be explained presently.

Spring 33' force lever 33 to tensionally engage Fig. 1. When thesolenoid i's'energi'zed, its armature 38 is elevated and clears leverf6, and releases it to move into engagement with the chain foreventually engaging oneaofthe-linli recesses I5, that movement of leverlilibeingz effected by the spring-loaded lever 33. At the same timeswitch-arm operating lever 3|, engagedby pin.

32 of lever 33, is swung: in downward or anticlockwise direction,whereby switch-operating arm 29 is also caused" to move inthat"dircction and opens the contacts of. blades 26' and 25 and closesthe contacts. of blades-25 and- 21'; By the closing. of theselatter'contacts, motor becomes energizedi Solenoid 31 becomes energizedby closing'push button switch 39 (see Fig; 7), representingthe thirdswitch controlling the. circuit, but the closing of. the solenoidcircuitby push button switch 39, can be effected only: when the switchof the coin; mechanism, the" switch: blades 25- and 26 and the fourthswitch", a weight-responsive switch 40 are. all closed, otherwisetheclosingjof switch 39 will not energize: solenoid 3T. weighteresponsi've'switch 40" is composed" of tW0.dBVlQS, a: switch proper 4| and anoperating member 42 for'thati switch" proper. The latter comprises twonormally separated resilient contactbl'ad'es:ofwhichblade 43islongerthan blade 44". Operating-member-42 consists of a frame 45 and aswitchsenga'ging arm 45 extending from the frame and. forming anintegral" part thereof-i Atithe end ofthe arm is provided'a pin4-iad'apted to rest upon longer blade 43 of switch 4!, blade 43 beingintended to resiliently support pin 41. Frame 45'is'pivotailysupportedat 45" fromplatform llf by any suitable means such asanin"- verted= channel 48, shown in Fig; 5, which is rivetedorotherwise-secured as at 48-" to the'pl'atform, and a" pivot pin 45-. Theouteredges or fiangesbflof'fthe frame as wellas' ribs 50' formed fromthe frame material project through suitable slots. above the platform,as seen in- Figs; 2 .to15, the frame" being held in that position by pin4''! of extension 46- resting upon and being resiliently supported by'upper blade 43 of switch 4|.

When now an article A held in oneof the-retainers I3 is" brought intoposition above the frame, its" flanges 50 and" ribs 50" are depressed bythe weight of the article; asseen in Figs. 2 and 3,, and" frame 45-swings downwardly about pivot pin 49; thereby causingpin 41-" of frameextension 46 to exert" sufiicient pressure upon blade 43 tobring it intocontact with blade 44, thus" closing weight-responsive switch 45. Withswitch closed by the-weightof an article, pushbutt'orrswitch-3'9 can beoperated; and when thus operated, solenoid 31 becomes energized,elevates its armature 3 8 and releases chain-actuating lever l-6- toi-ts'operative position and into engagement with chain l2.

Asr'stated -before, therel'ease of lever l5 intoi'ts operative position"is accompanied by the release.

of switch arm 29-which opens the 'normally closed contactsof" blades 26and 25 and closes the normally open contacts of blades 25 and 21 wherebymotor 23 becomesienergizeds the motor starts to rotate, its cam: 2| willengage; switch-closing lever 22 and cause it to close a quadruple bladei switch 5| (see Fig. 7) composed of a pair of upper blades52 and-53andlower blades 54 and 55. The latter.- blades constitute a holdingswitch for the motor by means of which current is supplied to the motorwhen blades 25 and 21 of switch 24 1 become separated' as actuatinglever 16 reassumes its initial; inoperative position shown in full linesin Fig; 13.. switchiblades 52 and 53 are intended to introduce into thefield winding of the motor a .resistancediii whereby the motor speed isslowed down'before it comes to a stop.

As hasbeen* explained in the aforementioned application Serial Number225,737, chain conveyer I2 is actuated by lever l6 successively in thatthe hook-shaped end 34 of that lever. first is: released by solenoidarmature 38'" into a contacting" position with the chain, whereupon thelever is-caused to move towards" detent" 3 6: so that pin 35" at thehook-shaped end of lever-1'6" lifts detent 36 out of engagement fromthe. chain, whereupon hook" 3'4 engages'therecess of"the. link next tothat formerly engaged by detent 36. Whenthisinterengagement betweenlever I6 and the recess in the chainlink is'effected the lever is causedto move in left handdirection" and past its starting position, apositiondefined by the full-line position of connecting lever I1 shownin Fig; 1. As' lever l6 commences its" movement, solenoid 31 becomesde-energized' and releases armature 38'. When now lever I'Smoves towardsits starting position it will be caused by dropped armature 3-8 toassume its inoperative, full-line position shown in Fig; 1", that is,the position at which the lever clears link chain l2.

From the foregoing it will be clear-that unless weight-responsiveswitch40* is closedby the weight of an article propelled by the conveyer;solenoid 31 cannot be energized by closing pushbutton switch 3-9. If; ontheother-hand, switch 40 is-closed by the weight of an-article and acoin inserted inthe coin mechanism 28 has caused the closing ofthe-circuit controlled by-blades 25 and 25 of switch 24, then theclosing of switch- 39 will produce the following effect: Solenoid 31will becomeenergized; whereby detent 38 will release lever [B to assumea contacting positionwith chain conveyer I2, this movement being inducedby spring loaded lever 33. At the same time switch arm 29 will open thecontacts of blades 26 and 25 and close the contacts of blades 25' and21, whereby the motor is energized, As the motor revolves; cam 2| will.compress quadruple switch 5 I "for the purpose stated above.

The importance of weight-responsive switch 40 becomesreadily evidentwhen it is considered that the. conveyer cannot operate unless it holdsat leastone article of merchandise, and unless that article isbroughtover the switch-actuating member to effect closing of the.switchv by, its weight.

While only one embodiment of that: switch structure is illustrated anddescribed, its. con.- struction may be changed to adapt the-same. foruse in connection withdifferent conveyer or other mechanisms, for'which" reason any obvious changes and modifications of. the switchstructure. are deemed to reside within the: scope of the" presentinventionas defined: in the annexed claims;

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a Weight-responsive switch device for the control of an actuatingmechanism of an article conveyer, said device comprising a normally openswitch and a Weight-responsive member for closing th switch; saidactuating mechanism being adapted to successively first engage theconveyer at a certain point and to move it for a predetermined distanceand then to release the conveyer and to revert to that engaging point;electrical- 1y operable means in cooperation with said mechanism andcontrolled by said switch device and being adapted, when de-energized,to prevent said mechanism from engaging and moving the conveyer, and,when energized, to release said mechanism into a conveyer-engaging andconveyer-operating state; said weight-respon sive member of the switchdevice being disposed in the moving path of articles propelled by theconveyer and being adapted, when subjected to the weight of an article,to close the switch, whereby said electrically operated means becomeenergized, and wherein an endless platform having a plurality of slotsis provided for supporting articles propelled by the conveyer.

2. In a weight-responsive switch device as in claim 1, saidweight-responsiv member comprising a depressible frame structurepivotally suspended from said platform and being provided with aplurality of ribs adapted to normally project through said platformslots, said frame structure having an extension operatively engagingsaid switch and being movable with said frame structure when the latteris depressed by the weight of an article brought above said ribs,thereby causing the extension to close the switch.

3. In a weight-responsive switch device as in claim 1, said weightresponsive member comprising a pivotally suspended frame having upwardlyprojecting, spaced rib formations, normally extending through said slotsabove the platform, and a switch-operating lever extending from theframe and operatively engaging said switch; said frame being adapted toswing about its pivot when any one of said rib formations is subjectedto the weight of an article, whereby said lever is caused to close saidswitch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 868,348 Kramer Oct. 15, 1907 968,520 Bailey Aug. 30, 19101,355,488 McKenney Oct. 12, 1920 2,330,186 Jetseck Sept. 21, 1943

